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STATEMENT OF OAS SECRETARY GENERAL CÉSAR GAVIRIA ON VIOLENCE IN BOLIVIA

  October 13, 2003

The Secretary General of the Organization of American States vigorously and categorically rejects the acts of violence that have been taking place in Bolivia and urgently calls on the opposition forces to address their differences with the government in a way that does not resort to violence or take a toll in human lives.

The forces behind these events, which have already cost many lives, should know that the 34 states in the hemisphere covered by the Inter-American Democratic Charter unanimously condemn the use of violence and force to alter the constitutional order. Any government that arises anti-democratically is absolutely unacceptable in the Americas.

The OAS member states call on all Bolivians to ensure the preservation, in this moment of crisis, of democracy, the rule of law and the institutional order, which are necessary elements for the country’s stability and the recovery of public order and tranquility. The OAS Permanent Council will meet this evening to examine the latest developments in Bolivia.

The OAS supports, unconditionally, a constitutional resolution of the crisis through dialogue and offers its assistance toward that end. It also invites the Church to act as a mediator in this difficult time for Bolivia.


Reference: E-198/03